Group: Without Int'l Help, Niger Headed for 'Humanitarian Tragedy'

A confederation of Catholic relief, development and social service groups says the Sahel region of West Africa is heading for a humanitarian tragedy unless the international community responds to the mounting food crisis.

At least ten million people in the region face hunger, reported Caritas Internationalis on Wednesday, adding that eight million people are at risk in Niger – the worst hit country.

“Niger faces a shortfall of USD 50 million in aid, leaving the country with only have half of what it needs to feed the hungry,” the confederation continued.

“Only 47,000 MT (metric tons) of the 85,000 MT of food aid Niger requested has been committed,” it added.

Niger’s free health system, meanwhile, is “almost bankrupt,” and therefore setting up potentially devastating consequences for children as malnutrition treatment programs are run through health centers.

LAGOS, Nigeria (Compass Direct News) – The killing of Christians in Jos, Plateau state in Nigeria continued over the weekend with two journalists and five other persons falling victim to Muslim youth gangs.

The Human Right Watch (HRW) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to make sure that the massacre of at least 200 Christian villagers in central Nigeria on March 7, 2010 is thoroughly and promptly investigated and that those responsible are prosecuted.